TY - JOUR
T1 - The Nedre Dalälven River Landscape in Central Sweden - a hot-spot for mosquito (Diptera:Culicidae) diversity
JF - Journal of the European Mosquito Control Association
Y1 - 2018
A1 - Schäfer, Martina L.
A1 - Wahlqvist, Pernilla
A1 - Lundström, Jan O.
KW - Europe
KW - floodplains
KW - mosquito diversity
KW - mosquito species richness
KW - River Dalälven
KW - Sweden
AB - Abstract: The floodplains of the River Dalälven, Central Sweden, have previously been known for enormous abundance of mosquitoes causing unbearable nuisance, but since mosquito control measures by Biologisk Myggkontroll (BMK) commenced in 2002, the area’s beautiful landscape and high biodiversity can be more appreciated. The floodplains are the central part of the UNESCO Nedre Dalälven River Landscape Biosphere Reserve as well as the location of various protected areas. The rich biodiversity also includes mosquitoes, although these insects are rarely considered in the study of biodiversity. We analysed mosquito data collected by the BMK surveillance program from 2001 until 2017 for species richness and assemblages of the mosquito fauna in the floodplains of the River Dalälven, and the nearby Creeks Vretaån and Kilsån. The mosquito species richness of the Nedre Dalälven River Landscape included 30 species in the present study, and three to eight species could potentially be added according to other studies, which then includes more than 70% of all known mosquito species in Sweden. The location of the floodplains at the Limes Norrlandicus, the border between southern and northern vegetation zones, is reflected in the mosquito fauna that includes species commonly found in Northern Sweden as well as more southern species. The mosquito species richness of the region is similar to the species richness observed in other floodplain areas in Central and Southern Europe. Hydrological conditions of the Lake basins of the River Dalälven floodplains varied from frequent flooding with high amplitude to almost no flooding. As expected, the hydrological variations were reflected in the mosquito assemblages, with high prevalence of floodwater mosquitoes in the flood-prone areas and more homogenous assemblages in the areas less subject to flooding. In conclusion, the River Dalälven floodplain area is considered a mosquito diversity hot-spot for Sweden and for Europe. Journal of the European Mosquito Control Association 36: 17-22, 2018
VL - 36
ER -
TY - JOUR
T1 - The geographic distribution of mosquito species in Sweden
JF - Journal of the European Mosquito Control Association
Y1 - 2013
A1 - Lundström, Jan O.
A1 - Schäfer, Martina L.
A1 - Hesson, Jenny C.
A1 - Blomgren, Eric
A1 - Lindström, Anders
A1 - Wahlqvist, Pernilla
A1 - Halling, Arne
A1 - Hagelin, Anna
A1 - Ahlm, Clas
A1 - Evander, Magnus
A1 - Broman, Tina
A1 - Forsman, Mats
A1 - Persson Vinnersten, Thomas Z.
KW - CDC Light Trap
KW - Counter-flow trap
KW - Culicidae
KW - mosquito distribution
KW - mosquito surveillance
KW - Sweden
AB -

Surveillance of the actual distribution of mosquito species in Northern Europe is fundamental for evaluating risk for emerging pathogens, and for research on potential vectors. The Swedish mosquito fauna composition and geographic distribution, originally described by Professor Christine Dahl in the 1970´s, included 43 species. We have compiled the information published from 1978 to 2012, and our own surveillance data from 2001 to 2013, and compared this with the species list and geographic distribution provided in “Taxonomy and geographic distribution of Swedish Culicidae” by Dahl (1977). New species detected during these 36 years were Culiseta (Culicella) ochroptera (Peus, 1935) published 1984, Aedes (Aedes) rossicus Dolbeskin, Goritzkaja & Mitrofanova, 1930 published 1986, Anopheles (Anopheles) beklemishevi published 1986, Aedes (Ochlerotatus) euedes (Howard, Dyar & Knab, 1912) published 2001, Aedes (Ochlerotatus) nigrinus (Eckstein, 1918) first recorded in 2012, and Anopheles (Anopheles) algeriensis Theobald, 1903, first recorded in 2013. We provide maps with the distribution by province for each species, including historic information up until 1977, and new records from 1978 to 2013, showing the similarities and differences between the old and the new records. Important findings in recent years include the wide distribution of the Sindbis virus enzootic vector Culex (Culex) torrentium Martinii, 1925, and the more limited distribution of the potential West Nile virus vector Culex (Culex) pipiens Linnaeus, 1758. The updated list of mosquito species in Sweden now includes 49 species.